The Haute Design Network by Haute Residence brought together four designers from across the country to sit down and discuss the business aspect of their Design Careers.

"The Business of Design" webinar was hosted by Haute Living Media Group Senior VP, April Donelson and included the following designers: Rafaela Simoẽs and Laila Colvin of 2id Interiors, Karlee Coble of Karlee Coble Interiors, and Dorothy Alon of Sophea Designs. While interior design can certainly be an artistic and expressive career, when one owns their own design firm, the business aspect of things comes into frame all too quickly. The talented and successful designers explained the intricacies of walking the fine line between artists and business person all at once.

Here are some of the highlights of the conversation:

April Donelson: At what point did you decide to start your own design firm and was there ever a point where you ever thought of designing in any capacity which did not involve owning your own firm?

Karlee Coble: I started out working for other firms. Right out of art school, I had worked for three major firms before I started my own firm. While there, I learned everything from working with clients, to writing contracts, to learning how to get work, how to maintain work and so on. I found that every project is different and every client is different. So, I kind of worked my way up to my own firm and I got to see everything from other design firms. Once Had my own firm, it was organic and it just naturally happened. It was a point in my career where I was ready to be on my own and do my own thing and serve my clients in my own way. I had all the knowledge from other firms on how to do so. I guess I kind of worked it out backwards but it all worked out and it has been really successful.

AD: In regard to the beginning, the early years, what is the biggest lesson you got or the biggest take away you could share?

Rafaela Simoẽs: I think the biggest lesson I've learned has actually been to learn how to say 'no' to a client when you don't feel the chemistry or when you sense that things are just not clicking and you feel the relationship will not go well. Because I'm a pleaser, I always incline to try to satisfy the client no matter what but at some pint down the road, things get ugly if you avoid saying 'no.' So now, whenever I get that feeling, I would just rather not proceed and I move on.

AD: How do you integrate social media into your business? Do you see it as a positive or negative?

Laila Colvin: I think social media, for our company at least, is so major these days, especially Instagram. I would say we have more than half of our clients coming from Instagram alone. It's unbelievable how Instagram in particular is so important to us.

AD: What is the most enjoyable component of being a business owner?

Dorothy Alon: The best part of this business is the I can drive in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Venice, and I may not know the person who live in this home, but I do know how this house looks on the inside. We also impact the exterior of the house as well so philosophically, it's like we are part of the landscape of Los Angeles. It's exciting because you think of all the people who live in these houses and you don't know their names but I feel as if I am a part of their lives despite not knowing their names and vise-versa.

Watch the entire conversation below:

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Regarded for their relevant and skillful approach to design, 2id Interiors in Miami is an award-winning leading interior design firm that provides in-depth service to clients who are amongst today's well-known names in professional industries and entertainment spanning across South Florida, the U.S., and around the world with projects in Canada, Europe, and Brazil.

Founders and Creative Directors Laila Colvin and Rafaela Simoes recently completed this stunning private residential project in Miami Beach. While this project initially presented challenges such as integrating eye-catching accessories and furniture into the spaces, Laila and Rafaela were up for the task and the Brazilian duo was confident the work that would go into this 6,000 sq. ft. tropical modern home would be well worth it.

With the mentality that a home reflects who its owner is, 2id Interiors knew this house could not be average, by any means. With that in mind, the 2id team made the home unique, unparalleled, vibrant, and filled it with eclectic art and bold patterns.

Photo Credit: 2id Interiors

Photo Credit: 2id Interiors

Because they we aware they would be designing a home that was made for entertaining guests and hosting plenty of gatherings, Rafaela and Laila made sure that each space feels inviting to all. The 2id Interiors designers carefully selected materials and furniture that not only would flow well from room to room, but would also highlight the client's art collection.

The entry to a home should always make a statement and the 2id duo made sure that this home would certainly follow this edict. The welcoming foyer vignette leads guests into a close-to-nature dining room, which immediately catches your attention. True to their Brazilian heritage, Rafaela and Laila love bringing the outdoors in, whenever they get the chance.

Photo Credit: 2id Interiors

Photo Credit: 2id Interiors

The bedroom is proof that Laila and Rafaela were not afraid to go big. "We had the pleasure of designing this very sleek and modern bedroom for our very cool client, " Rafaela said. "We were able to design a contemporary and edgy masculine bedroom." Laila added, "The powder room is also powerful and the kitchen turned out to be a stunning space for cooking, entertaining and eating."

Typically, a dark setting is not the first theme that would come to mind when designing a kitchen. The traditional or stereotypical assumptions are of white and bright-colored kitchens. However, 2id Interiors considered, "What if your kitchen broke the mold?" Here, shades of black and green add what white kitchens cannot - a seductive style that is both memorable and sophisticated.

Photo Credit: 2id Interiors

It seems the 2id design team checked all the boxes in this project because after wrapping up this Miami Beach home, they have already gotten to work on a second project for this client.

If you wish to look into contacting 2id Interiors or learning more about their interior design work, CLICK HERE.

Photo Credit: 2id Interiors

The post 2id Interiors Bring Lush Tropical Miami Beach Vibes Indoors appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Pine Tree Drive Residence

Photo Credit: 2id Interiors

For this canal-front residence, interior designers Laila Colvin and Rafaela Simoes had to capture a sense of artistry and zeal, while bridging the gap between the original and renovated architecture.

As founders and creative directors, Laila and Rafaela have established Miami’s premier luxury interior design company, 2id Interiors. Regarded for their relevant and skillful approach to design, 2id Interiors is an award-winning, leading interior design firm servicing clients which are amongst today's well-known names in professional industries and entertainment spanning across South Florida, the U.S., and around the world with projects in Canada, Europe, and Brazil.

"The clients wanted the house to be modern but colorful. They also wanted to keep the Spanish character, but in a more contemporary fashion," said Simoes.

Photo Credit: 2id Interiors

The original open staircase was the element that won over the clients. So, the duo made it the focus of the living area with a traditional wrought-iron railing and colorful ceramic tiles. The blue-and-white rug, made of Persian rug remnants, brings a graphic backdrop for the Brazilian-style furnishings in neutral fabrics.

A navy grass cloth covers the open shelving in the living area's built-in walnut cabinetry, which has a vertical slatted sliding panel that conceals the television when not in use.

Colvin explained, "The slatted panel is our signature. We always use it somehow."

Photo Credit: 2id Interiors

In the dining area you can see a metal chandelier, a glass-topped table with an organic live-edged wood slab base, and a white-linen host chair counter alongside a Brazilian wood side chair with leather seats. It shows that the designers like to play with opposites in materials.

Photo Credit: 2id Interiors

In the family room, the designers paired wood-sided tables with a blue plush velvet sofa and ottoman. Above, lining the wall, is a grouping of the family's favorite movie posters. The owners fell in love with a wooden sculpture Colvin and Simoes placed near a swivel lounge chair in a corner of the primary bedroom.

Photo Credit: 2id Interiors

Overall, the house is a beautiful place to relax and have fun.

Photo Credit: 2id Interiors

To lean more about 2id Interiors and the great work they do, CLICK HERE to visit their website.

The post 2id Interiors Bridges The Gap Between Original And Renovation In Pine Tree Drive Project appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Rafaela Simoes & Laila Colvin

Photo Credit: 2id Interiors

Founders and Creative Directors Rafaela Simoes and Laila Colvin have established Miami’s premiere luxury interior design company, 2id Interiors. Regarded for their relevant and skillful approach to design, 2id Interiors in Miami is an award-winning leading interior design firm servicing clients which are among today's well-known names in professional industries and entertainment, spanning across South Florida, the U.S., and around the world with projects in Canada, Europe, and Brazil.

The dynamic duo behind 2id Interiors sat down with Haute Design and spoke about an eclectic array of topics which covered subjects from collaboration in design to what inspires their work.

Haute Design: Both of you are from Brazil. Do you think part of the Brazilian culture or design criteria carries over into your work?

Rafaela Simoes: Yes. I think the use of wood and organic, essential materials are always present in our design and I think that really comes from the Brazilian style of design. The desire to use natural and organic textures, I think, is very Brazilian and we always apply that into our work.

But because we also cater to so many cultures here in Miami, not just the Brazilians, I think we have learned how to be very diverse. For example, we have Russian clients who like a bit more 'bling-bling,' Brazilian clients who are more 'Earth-y,' and love the use of wood, but then we also have German clients, who have a totally different taste.

We have so many different clients and you can see that in our portfolio because it's so eclectic. We don't only follow one trend or one style. We cater to different cultures, different clients, with different backgrounds, and I think that is definitely reflected throughout our portfolio.

HD: We would agree! You mentioned the use of natural elements within your design. Have you noticed a shift with clients in regard to requesting more environmentally-conscious materials and design principles?

RS: Yes, I think so. Not specifically ecologically conscious material, but definitely more design aspects geared toward nature, more blues and greens. We are doing a lot of green walls on the exteriors of homes, so I do feel that people want the outdoors reflected inside their homes a little bit more. That said, I wouldn't go as far as saying it would be ecologically-friendly thinking.

We do have clients who really want to go in an environmentally-conscious direction and make sure the materials are responsible, but that's rare. That does not happen much.

Rafaela Simoes

Photo Credit: 2id Interiors

HD: That's interesting. Switching gears a bit, considering all the time most of us have spent indoors over the past year or more, do you think clients have reconsidered how much they value their interior living spaces and home design?

RS: We definitely felt that at the beginning of COVID. We were a little bit worried about what was going to happen, as everyone was. So, everyone was remaining indoors and trying to contact us for potential projects and we couldn't do construction. But clients were ready to improve their homes right away.

From the beginning of lockdown, clients wanted to change furniture or change the layout of their homes that we had recently worked on and make things more comfortable. The first thing we did, before lockdown was over - we were already sending proposals to existing clients and new clients . It seemed everyone was desperate to improve their homes because it was a new way of life. No one had ever stayed home for this long so it was an interesting shift in the way people lived.

Everyone wants a comfortable home and they always have. But now, this idea of a comfortable home is really at the top of the list for requests. The requests have definitely shifted toward a more cozy and inviting home because people are working from home, the kids are studying from home, so comfort is key.

HD: To that point, something that has been rightfully addressed often throughout the year has been mental health. Have you noticed this awareness of mental health affect the clients' requests?

RS: I totally think so. But with us, we always thought about that when we started in this business; using materials we love, natural materials, bringing nature inside, including wood and raw materials inside the home, which does not happen in Miami often.

I think the Miami style is very shiny and cold and not very home-y. It's glossed whites and a pearly kind of style. Which, in my opinion, is not the most mentally healthy because it's so cold rather than warm and cozy like one should want their home to be. We are always designing with that in mind. We totally think that the house can be chic and elegant but still include some nature in the home.

We want the home to be beautiful but still feel cozy and warm and I totally connect that to mental health. I think that having a home that is not so cold and stark is very important for mental health.

Laila Colvin

Photo Credit: 2id Interiors

HD: If we had to ask you to name three main principles throughout your design, what would those be?

Laila Colvin: I think our main principle is definitely to design for the client. As Rafaela mentioned, we have clients from all over the world and our portfolio is so eclectic because of that. I don't think we have a specific style. We do have some things that are always present, but we really try to embrace the client's dream home.

We really try to follow their vision and try to put that together for the client. If the style is more traditional, we will keep things more traditional for that project. If the taste is very modern and contemporary, we embrace that. So, whatever dream the client brings to us, we try to really embrace that.

We are not designers that say, 'you know what, that's not my style, go find someone else.' We really love having been able to work on such a variety of projects because that is an asset when trying to satisfy the clients to create their home, not our home.

HL: So, would you say in this case the client can be regarded as a secret weapon within your design team?

LC: Yes, that would be a fun way to say it, yeah. We definitely listen to them. There are a lot of exchanges between us and the client so that we have a better understanding of their desires. I do not understand how other designers can have a style that is so specific. You know, some designers have a style that once you see the work, you know it's them right away.

I don't know how they do it! Because they either need the client to totally buy into their personal vision so the client agrees to everything they recommend, or they say no to a lot of clients. We cannot do that. We actually love the difference between our projects and clients.

If you would like to learn more about 2id Interiors, CLICK HERE to visit their website.

The post 2id Interiors’ Rafaela Simoes and Laila Colvin Talk To Haute Design About Their Design Philosophy appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Golden Isles II Living Room

Photo Credit: Emilio Collavino

With clean lines and a monochromatic palette, this Hallandale Beach home steers away from formality warming its contemporary tones with soft textiles and rich wood.

Designed in a soft palette of grey and white with pops of vivid red, the living and dining spaces blend seamlessly together to define the great room. Porcelain tile flooring weeps through the main floor and connects to the outdoors. The plush, red-velvet “Mad King” armchair by famed designer Marcel Wanders catches the eye immediately. 

Golden Isles II Dining Room

Photo Credit: Emilio Collavino

In the dining area, a glass-topped table seats 10 guests comfortably on sophisticated black leather-clad chairs. Near the stairway, a stone wall reaches up to the second floor. Just off the entry, the wine room is a well-lit space fashioned with a grid-like bottle display.

Golden Isles Bottle Display

Photo Credit: Emilio Collavino

In the clean-lined kitchen, Calacatta marble tops both the large island and a unique backsplash that extends up to the ceiling. Stylish, oversized counter chairs are a fun creation. They are dressed in metallic silver vinyl, each seating two comfortably.

Golden Isles II Kitchen

Photo Credit: Emilio Collavino

A tufted white headboard, an abstract area rug and gauzy draperies add texture to the airy master bedroom.

Golden Isles II Master Bedroom

Photo Credit: Emilio Collavino

In the luxurious master bath, a shower that doubles as a steam bath features a relaxing wavy chaise. Beyond, a custom marble wall designed by 2id Interiors creates a dramatic backdrop for a spa-like step0-up tub.

Golden Isles Master Bath

Photo Credit: Emilio Collavino

Successful in fulfilling the owner’s vision, this contemporary home is product of a 14-month collaboration between a client with a dream and a design team with the expertise to translate it into a functionally elegant home.

The post 2id Interiors Presents Latest Residential Project: Golden Isles II appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.